A Bright Avon Summer

I just want to give big hugs and kisses to the wonderful people of Avon who delivered this pretty big tote to me this morning. My baby cat Candy seems to be pleased too, or intrigued. Nevertheless, the bright purple and pink vinyl bag got his attention up.

Did I say bag? It opens up to a beach mat full of goodies just in time for summer.  Hello Avon March products, you scream summer, my favorite season! The bag alone is a goody as it’s roomy enough to fit beach essentials, big beach towel and book included and it’s comfy enough to let you lay on the sand as you work on your summer 2012 tan with no worries of  getting sand wedged inside your bikini. It’s even got a tiny pouch to house in small items like lip balm, alcohol, etc.

Just a reminder, in the Avon March 2012 collection, gray tabby cat and cat treats not included. :P   

Should I fill you in on some of the goodies? Okay, let’s start off with makeup. Many ask me if I wear makeup during the summer. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t, but most of the time, I do. Although our skin gets darker, a bit of color can add a bit of sugar.

 The eye quad called Smoke and Mirrors has very sheer and subtle wearable pastel shades that would look awesome as a wash of color or a sparkle here and there. This shimmery powder stays dazzling for up to 12 hours.

The Smoke and Mirrors Ultra color Rich Lipstick feels creamy and cushy to the lips. This one’s called Apricot Mystery.

It was very sheer on me, almost a gloss effect without the annoying tack, as if I ate a melon pop or something. 

Remember how a cold glass of fruitshake quenches our thirst by the beach? Think fruity shakes for dehydrated skin from Avon Naturals with yummy “flavors” like Strawberry and Guava and Pomegranate and Mango combinations to quench our fried skin from a day of swimming and sun worshiping.

The best accessories with the tan? Dainty jewelry of course!

Spice Market collection, with exotic-colored stones to go with a basic white or turquoise maxi dress.

Lush Paradise collection, with the flowers remind me of an island princess in a cabana. Real flowers wilt. They don’t.

I love animal prints, and this sunglass case seemed to call to me. I don’t buy expensive shades so sometimes, they don’t come with protective casing. This keeps my case protected so it helps me save money from buying and buying glasses after my shades break. Not to mention it looks super cute and really rar.

Higher temperatures call for lighter fragrance. Very potent perfumes can overwhelm during the day. If you find yourself switching to body splashes or EDTs during the summer, you’re not alone. I do the same thing myself, or sometimes I go with no fragrance at all. 

Heaven Scent Splash Colognes have got the fragrance department covered with light fragrances – fruity, floral, or pure, it’s up to you. The picture reminds you of a deck of cards yes?

Since summer means whisking to getaways, and if you’re OC like me, travel organizers in loud pink colors (I like loud colors for travelling goodies because they make me see things in a flash because a sea of neutrals can render me blind because all look the same and I hate losing things when I travel) spell awesomeness to people who have high risk for obsessive-compulsive disorder like me. It separates the shoes from the slippers, keeps teensy underwear in place, and separates dirty clothes from clean clothes.

Having fun staring at them yet? Guess what? I’m feeling generous because I’m sharing my blessings with you, yes you! Because I have another contest and I’m giving away this much prizes!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ll be choosing winners and there would be one winner of each item and here’s what’s in store:

ITEM 1: One set of Avon Fashions Spice Market Collection necklace and earrings. 

ITEM 2: One Avon Smokes and Mirrors Eyeshadow quad.

ITEM 3: Two Avon Naturals Antibacterial Hand Gels. When you're travelling, you'll never know what's out there.

ITEM 4: Six bottles of Avon Heaven Scent Splash Colognes. 

ITEM 5: Avon Style Essentials Nail Buffer and Nail Clipper Set  and Avon Naturals Shake Body Lotion in Strawberry Guava.

ITEM 6: Outspoken Intense By Fergie Shower Gel - a provocative mix of shining starfruit, passion flower, and sensual musks for hot and rar summer nights. 

So how to join?

Just answer this question: 

How do you plan to make your 2012 summer awesome? 

Answers must be in the comments section along with your full name. Winners will be chosen randomly by a name generator, and no, the cat is not up for raffle. Enjoy the summer and good luck!!!! 

Sunblock That's Environment Friendly

How was everyone's Holy Week break? I'm pretty sure that most headed to the beach last weekend to get some sun. I myself got into the tanning bit, but in the swimming pool so as not to join the crowds and all. I like things quiet as I "fry" myself and get my natural dose of vitamin D - with sunblock of course! Sunblock is necessary if you're out in the sun most especially, tanning or not. I know that I don't use lotion on my body during the day since I pole a lot but when it's swim time, it's a must to use lotion.

Here's the thing - sunblock feels greasy yes? And it has that irritating chemical smell and when you put sunblock in your face, it doesn't feel like sunblock - it feels like hollow blocks because it's heavy, sticky, and oily. Mixed with sweat and dirt my pores beg for mercy right? There are moisturizers though, that have SPF in their formula if you're just out in the concrete jungle, but with swimming either on the beach or the pool, we gotta have the real thing on the tube, since that's pretty water-resistant.

On my recent lunch with the people behind Leyende, I got to know about their sunblock, which is not only friendly on the skin but friendly also to the environment. I found out that day that one of the causes of coral bleaching is the chemicals from commercial sunblock. Does that mean that we should skimp on sunblock for the sake of our environment? Not with this around because Leyende Place In The Sun sunblock has ECOCERT-certfied natural/organic ingredients and preservatives that are also ECOCERT-approved. The ingredients are biodegradable so they don't harm our sea waters.  Although this one says it's for the face, it's okay to use for the body. This has very little scent when I tried it, and it feels light to be used on the face.

Another thing that makes me annoyed with sunblock is the whitish cast. Remember those beach photos when there's this perpetual white streak? Blame it on the sunblock, baby. Place in the Sun takes its cue from the surfers who use zinc oxide on them. But instead of having that annoying white paste on the noses, they come up with Zinclear, which is invisible zinc for non-greasy skin with no whitish cast. Also, there's no need to wait for a while until the sunblock binds with the skin - just spread and go.

It's a really tiny tube though, but Leyende would soon come up with a bigger bottle for those who spend a good deal of time under the sun for sport or for recreation or whatever reason. I also learned a tip - to not forget the ears and back of the neck.

So where is this available? You can buy Place In The Sun products at Robinson's, Crossings, and Sesou stores. You can also contact distributors and resellers as Leyende has listed their contact information here.

Pole Photoshoot with Leo Castillo

Two weeks ago, Stevie and I met up with a very good friend of mine for a shoot. With Stevie all tacked up and more tricks up my sleeve, it's time for a pole photoshoot and who to do that but a photographer who has witnessed my growth from 2007 (the year I started with pro makeup) up to the present?

Leo Castillo is the first-ever photographer I worked with. I'm really honored to work with him in all these years I've done makeup. He's a very established photographer already but despite all his accomplishments, he remains very humble and down-to-earth and every shoot is fun with him around. I've worked with him first with both of us behind the camera and also eventually with me being the subject of his shots and then with me doing backstage work again. I thought that he be the first  photographer to do my pole photoshoot.

I wanted the shoot to showcase athleticism and strength instead of the sexy and erotic nature of pole dancing. This is more of pole fitness, in fact. I was inspired by sports ads or dancer pictures practicing in the studio.

Love to my favorite supply of sport tops, Forever 21. They have the best sport tops ever for me!!!!! And very affordable too.

Our shoot was so much fun! His studio had a beam which fit Stevie perfectly. Stevie was shorter there than he was at home by just a few inches, but I was still able to do my vertical tricks. To save time, I got to the studio The shoot took about four hours, warm-up and stretching included since I had to rest after a series of tricks or recondition the pole. It was practically like poleling for 4 hours straight. I got bruises and my body hurt but it's okay and fun.

This scary trick bow and arrow but super pretty. The hubby had to help me recover upwards here as it's pretty hard to recover for me still.

My friend Dennis Celestial made me this super-pretty bodysuit/top. Doesn't it look super pretty and sparkly? I swear the flag is such a badass trick. Would you guys believe I learned to flag before inverting?

More photos

top hand viva

modified alesia

hip hold

Definitely this won't be my first shoot on the pole as there will be many more. It's like documenting our tricks in class with makeup and awesome lighting. :) 

Photos by: Leo Castillo

Makeup, Styling, and Model: Me!!!!

Venue: Photoworks Studio 

Richard and Owee are Picture-Perfect

Two photographers are tying the knot in a month. These two hold a very special place in my heart. I was the bride's former stalker and she was my very first model when I was starting out. She's a photographer (that dabbles in modelling and acting) by profession and the groom goes with her in certain projects. The couple also happened to be our wedding photographers, and to ask me to do makeup for their prenuptial shoot is something that's just awesome and something that I was really happy to do. I was the one excited for them too!!!

Owee is such a dear to work with. She's pretty, her skin is flawless, and she always comes prepared. She's the perfect canvas for anything. For this shoot, Owee opted for traditional makeup instead of airbrush, as it's her preferred medium for herself. Although Richard said it was okay not to have makeup on him and generously lent his makeup time to Owee, I insisted on wielding my finishing powder and spritzer for picture-perfect and shine-free freshness.

Joel Francisco did these awesome shots. Joel is a good friend of Owee who she has worked with covering events and weddings. Isn't it fun to work with friends? Everyone is at ease. The photo above is a very candid shot, in fact. But hey, you couldn't deny that this is a couple very much in love (Bambi's note to Owee: Your dress is sooo pretty! I had to go with a change look to red lipstick and updo elegantness.)

 The weather also cooperated that day. Even at 12 noon, the sky acted like a giant softbox and had a good amount of clouds too, so there were no exposed shots or unflattering shadows. Yay good weather!!!!! Isn't it cool that this very familiar place I grew up in has little pockets of land that with the right angle, seemed to whisk viewers away to a location away from the city?

For more of Joel's shots of the couple, you could view his post here, and also check out his website for more of his amazing works.

Less than a month to go, Owee and Richard. Are you guys ready????

Couple: Richard Yulo and Owee Salva
Photographer: Joel Francisco 
Location: Filinvest Alabang (with permit to shoot! :-P)